E 40th Rezoning Update

On the May 26th, 2026 TSNA General Meeting, Carolina Braunschweig and Brent Watts, on behalf of themselves and other property owners, presented a plan to rezone parcels on the block of E. 40th Street between Bull and Drayton (see video link below). The parcels presented were 18 & 20 E. 40th St., and  2309 Drayton on the north side of the block. On the south side of the block parcels presented were 19, 23, and 25 E. 40th St. These parcels would be rezoned from TN-2 (traditional neighborhood) to TC-1 (traditional commercial).

The general argument for this rezoning is that it would allow for a wider range of uses – uses that are appropriate to the growing commercial vibrancy of the Bull Street corridor. However, one of the perpetual problems with TC zoning is that it allows for non-owner-occupied STVR rental units by right. This was brought up at the TSNA meeting, and Carolina Braunschweig asserted that all of the property owners had spoken about this, and promised that none of them would convert properties into STVRs. Several of these properties are currently long-term residential rentals.

At a subsequent meeting of the TSNA Board of Directors, the STVR issue was discussed, both in general and in regard to the proposed E 40th Street rezoning plan. It was generally agreed that the Board should look into finding a way to ensure the promise about no STVR's was a guarantee before the rezoning is granted by City Council. Especially for when or if those properties are sold. One idea was to look at the recent compromise crafted for the rezoning of the future wedding chapel at 912 Drayton Street, and to basically remove STVR from the “basket” of new uses granted by TC-1.

When examining the staff report attached to the MPC agenda for the meeting of the Planning Commission on July 15th, it was noticed that an additional parcel was added to those presented at the TSNA meeting. This parcel is 101 E 40th Street, which significantly changes the rezoning request, in that it now hops over Drayton to a new block. The TSNA Board decided that this was a significant enough difference from what was proposed to request that the rezoning be removed from the agenda for further discussion. However, the Planning Commission did vote in favor of the rezoning, as recommended by staff.

Attorney for the rezoning applicants Josh Yellin summarized the results of the MPC Planning Commission thusly: “Approved to move forward, but we put on the record that we needed to discuss properties and uses with TSNA Board and committed to do so prior to next hearing.”

Your opinion matters. The TSNA Board wants your feedback regarding this rezoning request. Please send your thoughts, ideas or questions to contact@tsnasavannah.org

If you missed the May 2026 Membership Meeting -  Click the button below to view the recordings on our YouTube Channel. (note: it is in two parts)

The E. 40th St. presentation is in part 2. 

Membership Meeting Youtube